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Sunday, June 15, 2014

Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

Full Steam Ahead Goodreads Summary
When Nicole Renard returns home to Galveston from an eastern finishing school, she's stunned to find her father in ill health. Though she loves him, he's only ever focused on what she's "not." Not male. Not married. Not able to run their family business, Renard Shipping.

Vowing to secure a suitable marriage partner, Nicole sets out with the Renard family's greatest treasure: a dagger personally gifted to Nicole's father by the pirate Jean Lafitte. Many believe the legend that the dagger is the source of all Renard Shipping's good fortune, though Nicole is sure her father's work ethic and honorable business practices are the keys to their success. Before she can board the steamer to New Orleans, Nicole finds her father's rivals—the Jenkins brothers—on either side of the gangplank, ready to grab her and steal the dagger. Quickly, she decides to instead travel north, to Liberty, Texas, where she can decide what to do next.

Darius Thornton needs a secretary—someone to help him get his notes in order. Ever since the boiler explosion aboard the "Louisiana," Darius has been a man obsessed. He will do anything to stop even one more steamship disaster. The pretty young socialite who applies for the job baffles him with her knowledge of mathematics and steamships. He decides to take a risk and hire her, but he's determined her attractive face and fancy clothes won't distract him from his important research.

The job offer comes at exactly the right time for Nicole. With what Darius is paying her, she'll be able to afford passage to New Orleans in mere weeks. But Mr. Thornton is so reclusive, so distant, so unusual. He can create complex scientific equations but can't remember to comb his hair. And his experiments are growing more and more dangerous. Still, there are undeniable sparks of attraction between them. But Nicole is leaving soon, and if she marries, it must be to a man who can manage a shipping empire. Darius certainly doesn't fit that description. And the Jenkins brothers have not given up on kidnapping Nicole and seizing the Lafitte dagger for themselves.

My Review
I fell for Karen Witemeyers writing after reading Stealing the Preacher and then Tailor Made Bride. They both had such great writing, wit, and messages! I was excited to receive a free copy of her new release Full Steam Ahead, and I loved it!

Full steam ahead took me to a time in our countries past, and I loved it! It was full of wonderful characters that worm their way into the readers heart. Nicole Renard is the adventurous daughter of a pirate (sort of). I loved how adventurous, feisty, and determined she was to keep her family safe, her fantastic abilities that were not at all common for girls to have at that time - knife throwing, even carrying a knife, mathematics, etc.- her warm heart, strength, and faith. She could see right past her employers tough exterior from the beginning and dug a hole in it allowing it to slowly dissipate! Darius sigh! I loved his determination to find a way to improve steamship safety to save innocent lives from being taken by explosions. His kind heart, change in attitude, etc., were all wonderful qualities. The romance was perfect, clean and able to make a person swoon!

The other characters in the book were also well rounded and important. From Nicole's family to the staff, everyone added to the richness of the book.

The humor and witty banter were amazing! It kept a smile or smirk on my face or a little laugh, for almost the whole book!

I also enjoyed the historical accuracy, but I do like me some historical! Not only was I entertained, but I learned about steamships and the time period.

I loved the message of trusting in The Lord to provide a way through seemingly impossible circumstances, and letting things go. Everything that Nicole and Darius learned along the way is so important for everyone to know, and I am always impressed with how well authors seem to express these things in such wonderful ways!

This book contains a smart and adventurous heroine, an eccentric or not so eccentric scientist, wonderful characters, a bundle of smiles and witty banter, true love, and much more! There is really something for everyone!

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.